By Amos Aar
THE CHIEF Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Mr Tersoo Kula, has defended his principal, arguing that the governor did not refer to all Masev people as cow rustlers but only those who perpetrated the act.
Mr Kula, who, on Monday in a rejoinder to the press conference addressed by the Masev Development Association (MDA) on Sunday, insisted that Governor Alia made the statement based on security intelligence and other privileged briefings he receives regularly as chief security officer of the state.
Sequel to MDA’s press conference on Sunday at the Benue State secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Governor Alia had attributed the herders’ attack on the people of Wandor, Mbalom in Gwer East LGA last Thursday in which about 18 people were allegedly killed to reprisal for cattle rustling by locals.
Kula said it is regrettable that some Masev people felt offended by Governor Alia’s comments, but that the truth is that the attacked stemmed from “criminal elements that were involved in mischievous acts which tend to result into the indiscriminate action from criminal herder gangs.”
Kula’s rejoinder, entitled: “Re: Disappointment And Anguish Echo From The Hearts Of Masev People”, reads:
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“1. It is regrettable if a section of Masev feels injured by official statements regarding the tragic loss of lives and destruction of property in Wa-ndor, Mbaikyor, of Mbalom Council Ward, Gwer East Local Government.
“2. His Excellency recognises the perenial [sic] attacks from herders over the years, and as a government this cannot be lost on us.
“3. As the Chief Security officer, the Governor works closely with communities and security organisations, and recieves [sic] security intelligence and other priviledged [sic] briefings regularly.
“4. Masev people cannot as a people be termed cattle rustlers. No! The Governor did not call them so because we are aware of their collective efforts to ensure safety in the land. However, the unfortunate crises or attacks at stake drew from criminal elements that were involved in mischievous acts which tend to result into the indiscriminate action from criminal herder gangs. This is a fact, as sad as it may sound. This in no way approves of the killings or seeks to undermine same. No!
“5. Cattle rustling or any mischievous act does not and should not warrant lawlessness especially, to the extent of taking scores of lives and disrupting public order by any individual or group(s). Significantly the mere presence of open grazing cattle is an illegality in itself. Security operatives are keenly at work and perpetrators of these heinous crimes will surely be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“6. While it has been challenging for security agencies, together with the state government, we have adopted extra measures after the “window” for the kinetic approach on all cattle not in ranches to leave the State. The Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 is fully in force and we are working closely with security agencies to see to its full enforcement and guarantee a Benue of our dream were our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.
“7. That rustling is fingered in this latest Mbalom attack, it is not an indictment on Masev people, and a leverage for gangs of herders and their agents. No. It is not an indictment on the entire Masev people in no way.
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“8. It remains the constitutional responsibility of Governor Hyacinth Alia to protect all citizens and their lands, and reference to allegation of rustling does not entail any slack of responsibility or trading blames with the people. No!
“9. Loss of lives cannot be justified under any account irrespective of whatever is the immediate or remote cause. This again is not a justification of perennial killings caused by militant herdsmen over the years.
“10. Government feels concerned and wishes the National Executive Council of the Masev Development Association, and entire Masev people not to view the Governor’s remarks so damaging of their integrity. The apprehension of the people should be relaxed as no ill is intended on the part of government.
“11. The Governor notes that the current crises with the unfortunate deaths was undertoned by rustling shouldn’t be seen as an indictment or a statement to undermine the Masev people. [sic] Government shares in the pains and aspirations of Masev people and the entire State.
“12. Government will not tag Masev as perpetrators of the fundamental issue that has affected them for many years. The allusion to local complicities has no intention to undermine a whole group.
“13. Governor Alia cherishes the love of Masev people and will not whimsically attempt to erode it.
“14. Despite the challenges, our resolve is resolute to ensure and enable a safe Masev land and Benue as soon as possible.
“15. A safe and secured Benue remains assured under Governor Hyacinth Alia’s watch.
“BENUE SHALL BE GREAT AGAIN!”.
